Very different MG/Teen read about: A Girl Called Ruthless by Melody Pendlebury

A girl with ambition. A clever ruse gone awry. A fatal encounter…

Eleven-year-old Ruthless will do whatever it takes to live up to her name. Slaughtering pirates, running an underground gambling operation, and intercepting Russian spies are just a few examples. 

In true Ruthless fashion, she claims the title of student body president, but her aspirations are cut short after getting in trouble. Not letting that stand in her way, she runs for Mayor with the help of her incredibly strong best friend, Owen. Her town of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has no age requirement to run for the post. The chances of a child winning are slim, to say the least, so Ruthless and Owen disguise themselves as an adult with the good old ‘two kids in a trench coat’ ruse.

This seemingly harmless scheme has grave consequences that invite the turmoil of her mother’s past back to haunt her. When the dangers of the adult world come crashing down on Ruthless, she must learn how to live with her new reality, and ultimately use it to turn her life into a success story – and live up to her name.

But will she be able to leave the past behind?

My Review:

Thank you to Darkstroke for my copy of this book,
Here's my honest review, please take a look!
To start I'll issue a trigger warning to so you are aware, too,
This story involves abuse and a death so don't read if this will upset you.

This is the story of a girl who wants to change some things
And sets of to achieve this despite any consequence it brings.
She's helped and supported by Owen, her best friend,
But there'll be joy and grief before the story comes to an end.

Ruthless Grace Rowe is eleven years old
During the time when this story is told.
She lives up to her name in many ways,
Defying or manipulating authority most days!

She's feisty, determined, stubborn, inventive and bold
Ready to do what's needed, to enable her dreams to unfold.
However, actions have consequences, as she's about to find
And some of them are drastic, definitely not kind.

This is a dark story for middle grade readers who
May also be ambitious and ruthless in their own way, too.
It is also about consequences and tough topics, too,
With fun, zany background tales interspersed all the way through.

Purchase Links

Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Girl-Called-Ruthless-moving-coming-ebook/dp/B098X3ZW54/

Amazon.com – https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Called-Ruthless-moving-coming-ebook/dp/B098X3ZW54/

Author Bio –

Melody firmly believes that one should never completely grow up. That is why she has chosen to spend her days writing for a younger audience. Melody resides in Jacksonville Florida with her beloved corgi Gatsby, and her husband Dylan. She started her writing career with children’s picture books and has now pivoted to middle-grade novels. She believes that children are eager for more books with strong-willed characters that deal with darker and interesting topics. Her debut novel, A Girl Called Ruthless, is inspired by the fiery girls in her fourth-grade class. When Melody is not writing or teaching kids how to write, she can be found planning her next big trip to some magical place she has never been to.

Social Media Links –

Twitter: @melodypendy,

Instagram and TikTok: @melodypendywrites